Nizza is… The lion of Monferrato conquers the eyes of the world from the top of the Campanone.
Landscape.
Nizza Monferrato is located in the heart of Monferrato, in the Belbo torrent valley.
Nizza Monferrato rises in the south of Asti.
It covers an area of 30.36 km² and has a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants.
It is about 25 km from Asti, the provincial capital.
History.
Nicea Palearum or della Paglia, the current Nizza Monferrato, was founded in 1225.
The primitive toponym derives from the custom of weaving straw with dried herbs to build the roofs of houses.
The city initially developed around the abbey of San Giovanni in Lanero, on the initiative of some castellans who saw their fortifications destroyed in the bloody battles between Alessandrini and Astesi.
The toponym “Nizza Monferrato” appeared in 1264 when the territory passed under the dominion of William VII of Monferrato.
The history of Nizza is marked by sieges: remember that of 1268 carried out by the troops of Charles of Anjou and, again, that from 12 to 24 May 1613 of the troops of Duke Carlo Emanuele I of Savoy, which ended with a victory for the nicesi.
Nizza was subjected to the dominion of the Gonzagas and only with the rise of the Savoy did the end of the foreign domination.
The government exercised by the Crova family, barons of Vaglio and lords of Nizza was important.
A key figure in Nicese history is the knight Pio Corsi of Bosnasco, who, as mayor, gave a great impetus to the development of the city by carrying out significant public works.
For more information: Nizza Monferrato's Tourist Information and Reception Office
Notes: historical notes taken from the text by Giuseppe Baldino, published by the Municipality of Nizza Monferrato.
Administration.
The title of the city was conferred on Nizza Monferrato, in 1704, by Duke Ferdinando Carlo Gonzaga.
Food and wine and typical products.
Nizza Monferrato is recognized all over the world as the capital of Barbera wine.
From the appreciated grape variety, on 1 July 2016, the denomination Barbera d’Asti Superiore “Nizza” was born.
An opportunity to taste Nizza and other Piedmontese types of Barbera is during the Nizza è Barbera festival, in May.
Nizza is also the land par excellence of the hunchback cardoon (cardo gobbo) and of the white truffle, specialties that can be tasted during the Patronal Fair of Saint Carlo - Truffle and Nizza Hunchback Cardoon Day, in November.
Furthermore, it cannot be forgotten that Nizza is the home of the prized Piedmontese breed meat, celebrated during the Fair of the Fat Ox and Beef (Fiera del Bue Grasso e del Manzo).
Among the typical dishes: the green cake, which can be tasted during the Fair of the Holy Christ (Fiera del Cristo Santo), in April, the belacauda (chickpea flour) and the bagna cauda, which characterizes two events of great appeal: the Bagna Cauda del Camperista and Nizza è Bagna Cauda.
To be seen.
The territory of Nizza Monferrato is distinguished by the large presence of monuments of considerable value.
You cannot miss a visit to the symbol of the town, the Campanone, a civic tower incorporated into the town hall.
Among the historical buildings we also remember Palazzo Crova di Vaglio, Palazzo del Gusto and Palazzo De Benedetti.
Equally, interesting are the ecclesiastical assets: do not miss the Church of the Madonna della Neve (Bricco), the Church of Saint Giovanni Battista in Lanero, considered the Duomo of Nizza Monferrato, the Church of Saint Siro and the Church of Saint Ippolito.
Stimulating are also the museum proposals with the Bersano Museum of Peasants and Old Wine Prints (Museo Bersano delle Contadinerie e Stampe Antiche del Vino), Sug@r(T)_house, the museum dedicated to sugar, and the permanent exhibition Art '900, a collection of works by Davide Lajolo.
A stop on the tourist itinerary should also be reserved for the Jewish Cemetery and the Garden of the Righteous (the only one in southern Piedmont).
For photography lovers, we recommend a stop at the Artist's wings (Ali d'artista), artistic canvases represented by large angel wings posted on the external walls of the gardens of Palazzo Crova.
Curiosity.
The signs of the siege that Nizza Monferrato underwent, in 1613, by the Savoyards are still visible on the external walls of the Campanone: the most attentive will notice a cannonball stuck in the wall.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Nizza Monferrato
Cover image source: Municipality of Nizza Monferrato